Rein-button



(No Model.)

J. B. FROST. REIN BUTTON.

No. 442,176. Patented Dc. Q, 1890.

UNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN li. FROST, OF NAPERVILIQE, ILLINOIS.

REIN-BUTTON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 442,176, dated December9, 1890.

Application tiled August 26, 1890.

To @ZZ 11:70am t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN B. FROST, residing at Naperville, in the countyof Du Page and State of Illinois, and a citizen of the United States,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rein Buttons, otwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a perspective view showinga pair of buttons on a pair of reins ready for use. Fig. 2 is a top orplan view, the upper section of the button being partially inserted,showing the method of attaching the button to a rein. Fig. 3 is a topview of the lower section of the button. Fig. 4 is a longitudinalsection of the button with the cam in elevation, showing the lockingposition; and Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the button, showingthe manner of locking the cam in an inoperative position.

My invention relates to rein-b uttons adapted to be attached todriving-reins for the purpose of enabling the driver to secure a iirmhold upon the rein.

The object of my invention is to provide a rein-button which, whenattached to the rein, will be free to move onlyin a direction oppositeto the pull of the driver, and which will not injure the rein.

A further object is to provide a roin-button which may be readilyattached to the rein at the point desired. I accomplish these ohA jectsas illustrated in the drawings and as hereinafter specified. That whichI cla-im as new will be set forth in the claims.

In the drawings, A represents the shell of a rein-button adapted to beattached to a rein l5. The shell consists of two hemispherical orsemi-cylindrical sections aa,lir1nlybound together by a metallic band orring O, which is of such size that it will admit ot' the passage ot arein between the two sections Uy a ot' the shell. 'lhe band C may bescrewed or otherwise secured to one or both of the sections, if desired.

The section a is hollowed out or provided with a recess f in its innersurface to receive a cam D, supported on trunnions cl d, as shown inFig. 3, and is adapted to revolve by frictional contact with the reinwhen the rein is pulled 'forward or the button is pushed Serial No.363,151. (No model.)

backward. The trunnions d d are supported in grooves formed in the sidesof the section a at such a height that the top ot the trunnions will notextend above the innersurfacc of the section a.

Extending through the wall ot the section a is a hole c, which isadapted to receive a pin E. In the cam D, and adapted to register withthe hole c in the section a when the cani is in an inoperative position,is another hole e', similar to the hole e. Theupper portion of the cam Dextends slightly above the upper surface of the section u, as shown inFigs. i and 5.

The upper section a of the shell is slightly grooved or hollowed out onits inner surface for a little less than the Width of the rein B,forming a shoulder m, which groove f extends lengthwise of the shellfrom the central part of the section a to its edge, as shownin Figs. etand 5. The section a' is provided on its outer surface with a depressionor groove g, which is adapted to receive the band or ring C and lock thesections firmly together against the rein when the button is attached tothe rein. rFhe wall of the depression or groove g in the forward side isslightly higher than the wall on the rear side of the depression orgroove.

YVhen it is desired to attach the button to a rein, the section a of theshell is removed from the band C. The band C,in connection with thelower section a, is then passed over the end of the rein and moved alongto about the point desired, the bearing-surface of the cam D beingarranged to engage with the rein when the button is pulled from thehorse. Owing to the absence of the upper section, buckles or otherobstructions are easily passed. The upper section a' is then inserted,as shown at Fig. 2, and pressed into the position shown at Fig. 1, theband C fitting into the groove g, where it is securely locked in placeby the elasticity of the rein and the pull of the driver. It desired,the band C may be further secured to one of the sections by means of ascrew 7L orin any other suitable manner. Then the button is on the rein,the rein bears against the upperportion of the cam D, and the pull ofthe driver upon the button causes the cam to partiallyrevolve, itsbearingsurface engaging the rein and IOO Iirmly holding` it against theAshoulder m on the inner surface of the upper section ct of the shell A.If desired, the button may be moved toward the horse by simply pushingit in that direction, as, owing to the form ofthe cam D, as clearlyshown in Figs. 4 and 5, it Will not clamp the rein when moved in thatdirection. It it is desired to move the button away from the horse, thepin E is inserted through the hole e into the corresponding hole e inthe cam D, which locks the cam in the position shown at Fig. 5 andprevents its bearing-surface from coming in Contact with and clutchingthe rein.

Vhat I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is-

l. The combination of a shell composed ol separable sections and havingan opening for the passage of a rein, and a band encircling saidsections, with a rotatable cam inclosed by said shell and adapted toclutch the rein, substantially as specified.

2. In a rein-button, the combination of a band C, with a lower sectiona, cam D supported in said lower section, and upper section a', having agroove g, adapted to receive the band C, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

3. In a rein-button, the combination of a band C and shell A, having ahole e, with a cam D supported in the shell, and a hole e', adapted toreceive a pin E,.substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4. The combination, With the shell A, consisting of separable sections aa', groove g, hole e, and band C, of a cam D supported in one of saidsections and adapted to clutch a rein against the other section, andahole e in said cam adapted to receive a pin E, substantially as and forthe purpose specified.

5. In a rein-button, the combination, with a shell composed ot'separable sections, a

band encircling said sections, a groove f, and

a shoulder m in o ne of said sections, of a rotatable cam supported inthe opposite section and adapted to press arein against said shoulder,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

JOHN B. FROST.' /Vitnesses:

FRANKVM. DREIBELBIS, JOHN L. JACKSON.

